What Can Cause Itchy Bumps Filled With Clear Liquid?

Here's what to know about 11 common blisters and rashes.

Itchy bumps filled with clear liquid are called blisters or vesicles. They're a feature of many common rashes but may look slightly different depending on the specific cause.

A clear, fluid-filled pimple that forms when fluid is trapped under the epidermis (top layer of skin) may be part of a cluster of small itchy bumps associated with a certain type of eczema rash. Or, bumps may merge into a larger single blister, as sometimes seen with impetigo.

This article looks at 12 common causes of blisters and what to do about them. It also offers tips on home remedies to help relieve your symptoms, as well as when to contact your healthcare provider.

Chickenpox

An illustration of a person applying cream to red spots and blisters on their face.

Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health

Chickenpox is an itchy rash caused by the varicella virus. The chickenpox vaccine has made it far less common than it used to be. The chickenpox virus spreads easily through coughs, sneezes, or contact with ruptured blisters. Anyone exposed is at risk for shingles later on.

The classic chickenpox blister looks like a dewdrop. You can have between 100 and 300 of them during a chickenpox infection. They develop all over the body, particularly on the trunk, face, and scalp. They can also appear on the mucous membranes of the throat, eyes, anus, and genitals.

The rash comes on between 10 and 21 days after you're exposed to the virus. Other symptoms usually start a day or two earlier.

They include:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite

Over the next eight to 12 hours, the fluid-filled blisters get cloudier and burst. That leaves a yellowish crust.

New blisters can form where old ones have healed. They may leave a permanent scar (pockmark).

To Pop or Not to Pop?

As tempting as it may be, you shouldn't pop a blister. Its purpose is to protect the skin underneath as it heals. Popping it can let in bacteria and lead to an infection.

Shingles

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shingles

CMSP / Gettty Images

Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful rash. It's caused by a reactivation of the chickenpox virus. Early symptoms are fatigue and burning, itching, or aching of the skin.

After an initial chickenpox infection, the virus embeds itself in nerve cells. Years later, the rash can develop along a dermatome (the nerve's path). Each dermatome provides nerve function to a specific area of skin on one side of your body. So the shingles rash usually appears as a stripe or band across the skin.

Blisters cause persistent and often severe pain when they rupture. They'll heal in seven to 10 days. A rare complication, postherpetic neuralgia, can cause persistent pain that lasts for weeks, months, or even years.

The vesicle fluid can transmit the virus to others who haven't had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine. A person infected by someone who has shingles would develop chickenpox rather than shingles. This is especially dangerous for young babies or people who have weak immune systems.

Treating Shingles

Antiviral medications can make shingles milder and clear up more quickly.

Rhus Dermatitis (Poison Ivy)

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Poison ivy rash on arm
Poison ivy rash on arm. JodiJacobson / Getty Images

Rhus dermatitis is caused by contact with an oily chemical called urushiol. It's found in some plants, including:

If you're sensitive to urushiol (and most people are), the itchy, blistering rash develops anywhere the oils touch your skin. Fluid from the blisters can't spread the rash to other people. But contact with the oils on your skin or clothing can.

Certain products, including lacquers common in Asia, are related to plants containing urushiol and can cause blisters and rashes in some people. The urushiol compounds also may be used in alternative medicine compounds.

Rhus dermatitis is a form of allergic contact dermatitis. It's treated with topical steroids. Over-the-counter (OTC) calamine lotion can help relieve symptoms.

The rash heals on its own in about three weeks and rarely scars.

Genital Herpes

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Herpes simplex
Herpes simplex on penis. DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND

Genital herpes is most often caused by the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). Symptoms typically start with tingling or burning. Then, herpes blisters develop and erupt into painful ulcers. 

Blisters can be hard to see in the vagina, and sometimes genital herpes can be misdiagnosed as a bladder or yeast infection.

The fluid in herpes vesicles can transmit the virus during sex or other intimate contact.

Antiviral drugs can shorten an outbreak. But nothing can remove HSV-2 from your body completely.

Cold Sores

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Herpes simplex
CDC

Cold sores are also known as fever blisters or oral herpes. They're usually caused by the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1).

Once you've been exposed to HSV-1, the virus stays in your body forever. It reactivates now and then and causes blisters.

The triggers for a cold sore outbreak include:

  • Chapped lips
  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Excessive sun exposure
  • Fever

A cold sore can be painful. It may take up to two weeks to heal.

Antiviral medications can relieve symptoms and shorten outbreaks. Topical medications are also available.

The fluid in herpes blisters can pass the virus to others through kissing, oral sex, or sharing cups, utensils, or personal care items.

Dyshidrotic Eczema

Dyshidrotic eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema.

Getty Images / Iuliia Mikhalitskaia

Dyshidrotic eczema, or pompholyx, is an itchy rash. It mainly develops on the hands and feet and isn't contagious.

You may be more likely to get it if you have atopic dermatitis. The cause is unknown, and it's believed to be related to abnormal immune function.

The vesicular rash looks almost like tapioca pudding. It can take up to three weeks for itchy white bumps to heal. The rash may leave behind red, dry, and cracked scales.

Large, painful blisters can develop. If they're on your feet, it may be hard to walk. The rash is most often treated with topical steroids.

Eczema or Gluten Rash?

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), an intensely itchy rash linked to gluten, can sometimes be mistaken for eczema. The main difference is the color of the fluid-filled bumps, which are red or purple in DH and white or flesh-toned in eczema. DH is a common symptom of celiac disease.

Skin Injury

Children often get a sunburn in the spring, when parents don't think about using sunscreen.
Children often get a sunburn in the spring, when it isn't as hot as it is in the summer, so parents don't think about using sunscreen or sunblock. Photo by Vincent Iannelli, MD

Trauma (some type of injury) to your skin can cause a rash to develop. Sunburn, for example, can lead to a blistering rash.

So can insect bites from spiders, fire ants, and other species. Blister beetles secrete a toxin that burns human skin and causes fluid-filled bumps. They are found throughout the world, including the United States.

Thermal injuries (whether a hot burn or cold and frost exposure) also can cause tissue damage resulting in itchy bumps filled with clear liquid.

These types of rashes can often be treated with over-the-counter anti-itch creams and home remedies. However, skin traumas carry a risk of infection and may need medical treatment.

Pemphigus

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A person with a pemphis vulgaris rash

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealand www.dermnetnz.org 2023.

An autoimmune disorder may be the cause of blisters or an itchy rash. Pemphigus vulgaris is one such disorder, causing the body to attack certain proteins in the skin, including the mouth. It's common for people to experience sores in their oral mucous membranes.

In rare cases, certain medications can cause pemphigus, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and common blood pressure medications. The condition is also seen in people who are diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.

Other types of pemphigus can affect pregnant people or people diagnosed with certain cancers.

This autoimmune-related disorder can become life-threatening if not properly treated. In some cases, the skin damage is similar to severe burns, and people need to be hospitalized for wound care. Infection can, in rare cases, lead to death.

Scabies

Red papules on the skin due to scabies

P. Marazzi / Science Photo Libary / Getty Images

Scabies is a rash caused by tiny mites that burrow into your skin. The red, bumpy rash often has tiny, fluid-filled blisters.

A scabies rash is most often seen on:

  • Wrists
  • Between the fingers
  • Under the arm
  • Around the waistline

You can transmit scabies through skin-to-skin contact, and you can catch it from contaminated clothing and bedding. It usually takes more than a quick hug or handshake, though.

Scabies is commonly treated with anti-parasitic lotions. They kill both the mite and its eggs. Oral medications are also available.

Impetigo

Impetigo rash beneath a mans lower lip

Science Photo Library / Getty Images

Impetigo is an infection that affects the upper layers of the skin. It can be caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria.

It commonly occurs on the face or limbs. Sores quickly develop into vesicles. Burst blisters leave behind a honey-colored crust.

A less common form of impetigo causes large blisters known as bullae. Newborns and younger children get them most often.

Impetigo treatment usually involves broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Impetigo can be caused by MRSA, a drug-resistant strain of Staphylococcus. It may require a more aggressive approach using multiple antibiotics.

ID Reaction

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

Dermatitis Rash

HKPNC / Getty Images

An ID reaction is a secondary eruption related to a distant inflammatory or infectious rash. It is a form of autoeczematization that develops in response to an infection or inflammation.

An ID reaction is often a complication of a fungal infection like ringworm. Other fungal infections include:

  • Athlete's foot
  • Jock itch
  • Tinea capitis (a fungal infection of the scalp)

Treating the fungal infection should clear up the rash.

Home Remedies for Itching

Different causes of blisters need different treatments. Meanwhile, you may have an annoying itch to deal with, but there are ways to relieve the symptoms of your itchy bumps.

Common home remedies include:

  • Aloe vera gel
  • Calamine lotion
  • Coconut oil
  • A cold compress or ice pack (for 10 minutes)
  • Fragrance-free, additive-free moisturizer
  • Menthol topical creams
  • Oatmeal baths
  • Pramoxine, a topical anesthetic found in anti-itch sprays, lotions, and gels

If your itch is severe or doesn't respond to these remedies, talk to a healthcare professional.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

It's important that a healthcare provider diagnose your condition if an itchy rash doesn't resolve within a few days or respond to home remedies or over-the-counter products.

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:

  • Blisters near your eyes or on your genitals 
  • Blisters that continue to form
  • Fever and chills
  • Open sores
  • Red streaks in the rash area
  • Sudden or rapidly spreading rash 
  • Severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Yellow or green discharge

A sudden and fast-spreading rash is a sign of a potentially life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis. Seek emergency medical care if your symptoms include mental confusion or trouble breathing.

Summary

A rash with fluid-filled blisters can be caused by a virus, underlying health condition, insect bite, or allergic reaction.

Chickenpox, shingles, genital herpes, and cold sores are viral rashes. Scabies is caused by burrowing mites. Impetigo is a bacterial infection. Pemphigus Vulgaris, dyshidrotic eczema, and dermatitis herpetiformis are associated with autoimmune disorders.  

Minor rashes can often be relieved with at-home care. However, more serious rashes will require medical treatment.

See your healthcare provider if your rash is made up of blisters that appear suddenly, turns into open sores, is near your eyes or on your genitals, or doesn't show signs of clearing up after a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes itchy, watery bumps on the skin?

    Itchy watery bumps on the skin can be caused by: 

    • An allergic reaction to drugs, food, or a skin irritant
    • An autoimmune disorder
    • A bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
    • A burn
    • Contact with a chemical irritant
    • Chemotherapy treatment
    • Eczema 
    • Friction ("rug burn")
  • Can an allergic reaction cause small, red, and itchy bumps on the skin?

    Yes, an allergic reaction caused by physical touch (contact dermatitis) can result in small, red, and itchy bumps to appear on the skin. It will often heal on its own after a few weeks as long as the allergen is avoided. If the bumps don't go away, see your healthcare provider.

  • Are there other rashes that look like shingles?

    No, other rashes do not usually look like shingles. The shingles rash has a distinct distribution that should make it easy to diagnose. The best way to diagnose and treat shingles is by visiting a healthcare provider.

20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Heather L. Brannon, MD
Heather L. Brannon, MD, is a family practice physician in Mauldin, South Carolina. She has been in practice for over 20 years.